Recently, Pickart and Margolina, 2018)
This may be due to copper's ability to enhance the expression of metalloproteinases (MMPs).16 MMPs normally regulate the degradation of collagen, and a specific one, MMP-1, may be responsible for the initiation of collagen fragmentation.17 Supporting this, a 2024 study noted that elevated MMP-1 levels appear to contribute to aging skin and that higher MMP-1 levels in mice led to:18 The loss and fragmentation of dermal collagen fibrils Contracted fibroblast morphology Reduced collagen production Increased expression of pro-inflammatory mediators Additionally, a 2016 study found that GHK-Cu significantly increased gene expression of MMP-1 and MMP-2 at the lowest concentration, which the studys authors considered to be one of the reasons the peptide was able to increase collagen and elastin production.19 So, what this could ultimately mean is that using too much GHK-Cu (or other copper peptides) may in theory increase the skins MMP-1 concentration above the levels involved in healthy collagen production, taking it into the collagen fragmentation and breakdown territory seen in older skin with naturally higher MMP-1 levels
Front desk staff is amazing, they are always smiling when you walk in and have made me feel welcomed and like they have known me for a while
( europepmc.org ) Broad regenerative / protective pathway influence: a major review summarised how GHK-Cu may influence multiple pathways involved in repair, inflammation, and oxidative stress (including gene expression data)
In dermatological practice, glutathione is valued for its ability to repair oxidative damage, improve skin clarity, and promote a more even complexion
